Freelance graphic design work

[Joe 90]

A friend of mine used to work freelance for maplin creating banners for their web site, said he was introduced through someone already working for them that he knew.

This kind of job is perfect for the lazy student like myself over the summer with l33t graphic design skillz. :p

anybody got any knowledge on this kind of work? I've failed to find anything through google :(

[Pheebs]

I do work like this... I wouldn't say it's a good lazy option though :p All my work I acquire is through networking and who I know - a bit like your friend I guess :)

If you have the contacts it's ideal.

You can sign up to webbys and advertise yourself as a freelance designer too. Some webbies will allow clients to post what they want work wise and then the designers will "bid" on the project, stating what price they can do it for etc.

Lot of people doing it though, so unless you've got yourself a good portfolio to show people examples and convince them to pick you over the rest, along with a low price too... it's probably not worth it :) (as in - not worth signing up and paying a fee to be part of a freelance webby!)

Good luck though! Network away and get yourself some contacts and go from there :)

[Joe 90]

aye, seen that freelance site, was going to sign up until i saw the subscription costs. I'm a yorkshireman - not my style.

will have to keep looking around. done some work recently for my local golf club as my dads on the committee, cheap gits didn't pay me though.

[Pheebs]

Talk lots and hand out business cards everywhere :D That's how I get my stuff :D

As said - I don't think it's a particularly easy thing to just "do" for a few months. It's taken a while for me to build up clients and pricing and things. If you're wanting to make wonga for just the summer I wouldn't rely on freelance design work in case you only get a couple of mini projects. :)

If it's something you want to do when you're finished studenting it up then I'd maybe try and do the odd job here and there to build up a portfolio and in the meantime do a filler job for a few squid! :)

GOod luccccck! :D

[Jonny69]

anybody got any knowledge on this kind of work? I've failed to find anything through google :(
Yes, get yourself a copy of Design Week (www.designweek.co.uk) from WHSmith and in the back there are lists of agencies that arrange freelance work and pretty much every week there are freelance jobs advertised in the appointments.

The industry is teeming with freelance work at the moment because nobody wants to take on permanent staff. The flipside is there's a huge glut of freelancers...

Personally, I hate freelancing. It's a horrible way of having to earn a living but as a student it's great.